The US SSC launched the USSF-12 mission from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida aboard an ULA Atlas V 541 rocket. Credit: Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The US Space Systems Command (SSC) and its mission partners have successfully launched the US Space Force’s (USSF)-12 mission.

The mission was scheduled to launch on 29 June, but was postponed for 24 hours due to weather conditions.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

On 1 July, USSF-12 was launched from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 541 rocket.

The rocket included Wide Field of View (WFOV) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) testbed and USSF-12 Ring satellites.

SSC Space Sensing programme executive officer colonel Brian Denaro said: “This mission was a joint endeavour between SSC, Nasa and industry partners to advance Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) technologies and concept of operations (CONOPS) through on-orbit demonstration of new materials and techniques.”

The SSC’s WFOV GEO Testbed promotes sensor sensitivity across the total field of view to track dim targets over large areas.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The other co-prime space vehicle is the Department of Defence (DoD) Space Test Programme’s (STP) USSF-12 Ring.

It is part of Northrop Grumman’s ESPAStar product family, which provides modular features.

Northrop Grumman national security systems vice-president Troy Brashear said: “As the ESPAStar mission owner, we combined critical technology into a single cohesive mission, including hardware integration and test, ground software, command and control development and integration, mission execution planning, and on-orbit operations.”

Separately, SSC and Virgin Orbit National Systems air-launched seven DoD research and development satellites from Mojave Air and Space Port, California, on 1 July.

The space vehicles will provide capability against adversaries in the highly contested space domain.

The USSF awarded a three-launch mission, dubbed STP-S28, to Virgin Orbit National Systems in April 2020.